All posts by h79snht.top

Rajasthan scored the first 200-plus total in the IPL in Jaipur to beat CSK for the second time this season

Hemant Brar27-Apr-20232:35

The change in technique that has unlocked Jaiswal

After losing their previous two games, Rajasthan Royals not only returned to winning ways but also the top of the IPL points table with a thumping 32-run win over Chennai Super Kings.After Royals opted to bat, Yashasvi Jaiswal attacked his way to 77 off 43 balls. Super Kings did stage a brief comeback in the middle overs but late hitting from Dhruv Jurel (34 off 15) and Devdutt Padikkal (27* off 13) lifted Royals to 202 for 5, the first 200-plus total by an IPL team in Jaipur.Matheesha Pathirana, despite nailing his yorkers at express pace, was unlucky to concede 48 in his four overs, as 28 of those runs came when batters were not in control of their shots.Super Kings didn’t get the start they were after. Adam Zampa and R Ashwin further stifled them while sharing five wickets. Shivam Dube was the only one to offer resistance but it was too little, too late.Jaiswal leads the way for RoyalsEven if it was an away game for Super Kings, they seemed to have more supporters in the stands than Royals had. It didn’t have any effect on Jaiswal and Jos Buttler, though, as they gave Royals yet another flying start. Jaiswal kicked things off by hitting Akash Singh for two fours off the first two balls of the match, followed by one more in the over. He was even more severe in the seamer’s next over, picking up three fours and a six. In between, Buttler hit Tushar Deshpande for two fours.With seamers going for plenty, MS Dhoni turned to spin, and Maheesh Theekshana bowled a three-run over. Buttler, though, took the spinner for two fours – both times hitting length balls off the back foot over his head – in the sixth over to take Royals to 64 for no loss.Ravindra Jadeja broke the opening stand with Buttler’s wicket but Jaiswal kept marching on. Coming into this game, Jaiswal had scored 81 off 70 in the middle overs. Tonight, there was no slowdown; he smashed 37 off 22 after the field restrictions were lifted.Yashasvi Jaiswal once again took a liking to the Chennai Super Kings bowling•Getty Images

Jurel and Padikkal pick up after a brief lullDeshpande removed Sanju Samson and Jaiswal in the 14th over to briefly put the brakes on the scoring rate. From overs 14 to 17, Royals managed only 28 runs and lost three wickets along the way. It was starting to look like Super Kings might restrict them under 200 but Jurel and Padikkal, who came in at No. 6, threw their bat around. They didn’t always find the middle but the runs came thick and fast. Super Kings’ sloppy fielding also helped Royals, and left Dhoni visibly angry on more than once occasion, as they ransacked 56 in the last four overs.Zampa, Ashwin keep Super Kings on back footWith Trent Boult picking up a niggle, Zampa got an opportunity. And the legspinner made an impact in his very first over. Bowling the last over of the powerplay, he had Devon Conway hitting one to mid-off.Ruturaj Gaikwad was trying to make up for Super Kings’ slow start. He had moved to 47 off 28 balls when he tried to attack Zampa only to be caught at long-on. R Ashwin dragged Super Kings further back in the next over, the 11th of the innings, by dismissing Ajinkya Rahane and Ambati Rayudu.Dube, Moeen fight backWith 130 needed from nine overs, Dube and Moeen threatened a fightback. The pair hit four sixes and a four in the next three overs, reducing the equation to 90 needed from the last five. Samson once again turned to Zampa, and he didn’t disappoint his captain. Dube launched him into the stands, and Moeen too picked up a boundary, but with his fifth ball of the over, Zampa had Moeen under-edging one to Samson.Dube, however, kept the fight on. He hit Jason Holder for a six and two fours in the 17th over. In the next, Jadeja took Sandeep Sharma for two fours but scoring 46 in the last two overs was too much of an uphill task.

Pepper, Lawrence hit rapid fifties but Eagles still need favour from Somerset in late game

ECB Reporters Network02-Jul-2023

Feroze Khushi hit the last ball of the match for six, despite Chris Jordan trying to flick a catch back to Jamie Overton as he went over the boundary rope, as Essex dramatically gave themselves a chance of clinching a Vitality Blast quarter-final place.Their progression was confirmed later in the day when Somerset held off Kent at Taunton, giving extra significance to Khushi’s 35 not out from 26 balls, which ensured they did not waste an Essex T20 record stand between Michael Pepper and Dan Lawrence as they chased down Surrey’s 195 for 6 to win by three wickets in a thrilling finish.Khushi and Shane Snater had taken five singles from the first five balls of Sean Abbott’s final over, to leave Essex needing three to win from the last delivery. Khushi swung hard and high, Jordan sprinted round from long-on to grab the ball as his momentum took him over the ropes but Surrey’s captain could not throw it back infield for Overton to complete the catch – and Essex celebrated.Pepper and Lawrence certainly deserved to be on the winning side, smashing 140 for the second wicket from just 11 overs in a blitz of boundaries that featured nine sixes and 11 fours.Sunil Narine had earlier blasted six sixes and seven fours in a 38-ball unbeaten 78 but then both Pepper and Lawrence produced hitting of similar ferocity to score 75 from 39 balls and 58 off 32 balls respectively.By the 10-over mark Essex were totally in control at 130 for 1 as Pepper, who struck five sixes and six fours, and Lawrence, with four sixes and five fours, entertained a 15,000 crowd in exhilarating fashion.Surrey’s bowlers looked incapable of stopping the carnage, and even West Indies mystery spinner Narine – one of the best T20 bowlers in world cricket – conceded 19 from his first over, the eighth of the innings, as Pepper reverse-swept and straight-drove him for sixes and also swept him conventionally for four.Lawrence, who has signed to play for Surrey from next April, reached his fifty from 26 balls to Pepper’s 24 and launched Narine for one final six from the first ball of the 12th over before falling two balls later to a catch at long-off.But Pepper fell attacking Jordan in the next over, and Surrey fought back as Paul Walter, Matt Critchley – brilliantly run out by Jason Roy – Daniel Sams, who did swing Sam Curran for six, and Simon Harmer all fell cheaply while Khushi kept chipping away at the runs required. Twenty off three overs finally became eight off the last over – and the 24-year-old Khushi, at the last, prevailed.Narine also struck seven fours in his own superb exhibition of clean hitting while Roy made 28 from 24 balls on his return to action after almost two months on the sidelines with a calf injury.Surrey were 57 for 2 after the six-over powerplay, after Essex had chosen to field, with Roy clubbing Sam Cook for a six and two fours – the first an extraordinary scoop past short fine leg – in the fifth over.Laurie Evans went cheaply, flicking Aaron Beard to deep square leg, but Will Jacks drove the same bowler high and wide of mid-off for four and pulled him for six before being yorked by Cook for 23.Sam Curran fell to Harmer for only 3 but Narine warmed to his task by smearing the offspinner over the deep midwicket ropes and then lofting Snater straight for another six.Overton took two sixes in an over off Sams during a quickfire 23, before being caught in the deep, and Narine went on his merry way by thumping Walter’s left-arm seamers straight into the Pavilion and then over wide long-on into the Bedser Stand.Narine finished the innings in style by hitting Sams over the long-on boundary and then clipping the last ball of the 20th over off his stumps to the fine leg ropes.Essex’s reply began badly with Adam Rossington mishitting Sam Curran to mid-on but the England allrounder’s next over, the third of the innings, went for a remarkable 31 runs as Pepper began and ended it with sixes and took two fours besides. With a wide, two free hit no-balls and a Lawrence boundary thrown in, the Eagles were suddenly 41 for 1 after just three overs and flying.Gus Atkinson was then struck for two straight sixes by Lawrence, the second of them from a full toss no ball, as both he and Pepper did as they pleased with the Surrey attack.

They will play three T20Is in Rawalpindi from April 18 to 21 and two in Lahore on April 25 and 27

Danyal Rasool13-Mar-2024

The PCB has confirmed New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan for five T20I matches in April. The visitors will arrive in Islamabad on April 14 and play three matches in Rawalpindi from April 18 to 21, with a further two at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on April 25 and 27.The tour was given the go-ahead after a security delegation arrived in Pakistan in February as part of a routine visit several countries require, in particular Australia and New Zealand. This is New Zealand’s third visit to Pakistan since December 2022. They played two Tests and three ODIs in Pakistan at the turn of that year, before returning in April 2023 to play ten white-ball games – five T20Is and five ODIs.As was the case last April, this series clashes with the Indian Premier League [IPL], which means several of New Zealand’s leading T20 cricketers will likely be unavailable. Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Trent Boult, Glenn Phillips and Lockie Ferguson are all contracted by IPL teams this season.Related

Ravindra and Kerr win top honours at New Zealand Cricket awards

Pakistan's cricketers set to train with army in March-April

This will be New Zealand’s last international engagement before the T20 World Cup in June, and the first five of 12 T20Is Pakistan are set to play ahead of the event.”In a testament to the unwavering camaraderie between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC), we are delighted to present the schedule for New Zealand men’s team tour to Pakistan 2024,” the PCB’s director of international cricket Usman Wahla said. “This tour symbolises the deep-rooted ties and mutual respect that define the relationship between our two cricketing nations.”Our avid cricket fans and the people of Pakistan will welcome the New Zealand team again and we hope to have yet another competitive series which is a key part of our buildup to this year’s ICC T20 World Cup.”The series takes place shortly after the holy month of Ramzan and the Eid holidays. That means games will begin at their usual time – 7pm local time. The final few games of the PSL have necessitated a late start because of Ramzan, taking place at 9pm.Pak vs NZ T20I series schedule18 April – 1st T20I, Rawalpindi20 April – 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi21 April – 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi25 April – 4th T20I, Lahore27 April – 5th T20I, Lahore

Seamer impresses amid the gloom with Warwickshire still 76 behind the follow on target

ECB Reporters Network28-Apr-2024

Warwickshire 175 for 5 (Barnard 69, Pennington 3-40, Paterson 2-52) trail Nottinghamshire 400 (Duckett 218, Haynes 74, Slater 65, Hannon-Dalby 5-78) by 225 runsAnother Vitality Championship draw is beckoning at Edgbaston after rain wiped out the first two sessions of the third day of the match between Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire.In the 35 overs that were possible, Warwickshire took their first innings to 175 for 5 in reply to the visitors’ 400 all out, Ed Barnard building a studious 69 (142 balls) to deny Nottinghamshire the clatter they need to force the game forward.As in the first two games of the season at Edgbaston, a combination of placid pitch and weather interference has shunted the contest inexorably towards a draw. Ben Duckett’s brilliant double-century gave Nottinghamshire a platform from which to press for victory, but the excellent bowling conditions of the stormy second afternoon, when Warwickshire dipped to 26 for 3, were not replicated on the third.The cloud was high and the pitch well-behaved as Warwickshire, having resumed on 71 for 3, advanced towards the follow on figure of 251. If they reach that on the final morning, a draw, always highly likely, will become a certainty.When play belatedly began at 4pm, Barnard and Dan Mousley took their fourth-wicket partnership to 59 in 20 overs before the latter misjudged an attempted flick to leg and fell lbw to Dane Paterson. At 84 for 4, Warwickshire still had plenty of work to do to reach that follow on figure, but Barnard was implacable. The former Worcestershire player reached 50 in 100 balls and was supplied with staunch support by Jake Bethell.Bethell’s natural ability demands a much higher first class batting average than 20.37 and he showed a patience and selectivity of stroke which suggest he is determined to improve it. The 20-year-old (38 not out) helped Barnard to add 84 in 25 overs for the fifth wicket before, late in the day, Barnard edged a superb delivery from Dillon Pennington to wicketkeeper Joe Clarke.That was fully deserved reward for Pennington whose figures (3 for 40 from 18 overs) on a good batting pitch accurately portray his excellence. The late wicket, taken just as the cat was about to be put out, also kept alive Nottinghamshire’s glimmer of hope of turning their domination of this match into victory. If their seamers have a productive first hour tomorrow, they could yet put the home side under serious pressure.

As Evangelos Marinakis commenced the club’s latest scouting mission in Turkey, one Nottingham Forest target was given his marching orders in what was an ill-timed moment to forget.

Nottingham Forest send scouts to Besiktas vs Galatasaray

After defeating Manchester United 1-0 courtesy of Anthony Elanga’s stunning solo effort, Nottingham Forest have every right to be dreaming of Champions League football more than ever in the Premier League. And with that comes the right to turn their attention towards stealing further headlines in the transfer market this summer.

On the transfer front, several big names have already been mentioned – the biggest of which arguably being Victor Osimhen. The Galatasaray loanee has enjoyed an excellent spell in Turkey and looks destined for bigger and better things once back at Napoli this summer. With Chris Wood not getting any younger either, Forest could yet make their move.

Turkish football seems to be where it’s at for those at the City Ground too, having also set their sights on two other targets. According to The Boot Room, Nottingham Forest’s scouting mission focused on Semih Kilicsoy last weekend, only for the young Besiktas star to receive a red card in his side’s 2-1 victory over Galatasaray.

Forest officials were also in attendance to watch Baris Alper Yilmaz, but it’s Kilicsoy who stole the headlines when he received his marching orders in the 96th minute before his teammates handed their rivals their first league defeat of the campaign.

Related Nottingham Forest now racing to sign £33m defender wanted by Real Madrid

He’s a man in-demand…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Apr 2, 2025

The first red card of the teenager’s career couldn’t have come at a worse time given that scouts from both Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa were in attendance, but he will hope to have still done enough to maintain their interest.

"Incredible" Kilicsoy is a rising star

Red card aside, Kilicsoy has been one to watch throughout the current campaign. At just 19 years old, the winger has scored four goals and assisted a further six in all competitions and doesn’t look likely to stop there. A player destined for the top, Nottingham Forest could yet sign another talented winger to add to the likes of Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi in the coming years.

Earning the praise of football talent scout Jacek Kulig last season, who described his campaign as “incredible”, Kilicsoy has only improved ever since and could earn the move that reflects that improvement this summer.

The Besiktas star is arguably one of the most talented young players that European football has to offer, but that won’t stand in Forest’s way. Closing in on a Champions League place, they could be more ambitious than ever this summer.

Al-Nassr have set their sights on one of Mikel Arteta’s key stars at Arsenal, according to reports, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s team said to be preparing a bumper contract offer for the player.

Arsenal set for PSG semi-final after triumph in Madrid

The Gunners will still be coming down from Wednesday, following what was a historic two-legged Champions League quarter-final win over 15-time European champions Real Madrid.

Related Arsenal make "ambitious" offer for £170k-p/w forward after Arteta request

The Spaniard’s personally asked for him.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Apr 19, 2025

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli’s strikes sealed a 2-1 win at the Bernabeu, right after Arsenal smashed Real 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium last week, and the result sent a statement to the rest of Europe that Arteta’s side are truly among the continent’s elite.

PSG await Arsenal in the semi-finals, with the two sides chasing their first ever Champions League title, so everything is on the line for both teams.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

Crystal Palace (home)

April 23rd

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

Arsenal surrendered the Premier League title to Liverpool this season and crashed out of both domestic cups, so failure to win the tournament will mean failure for the entirety of 2024/2025.

Victory in the Champions League will also assist new sporting director Andrea Berta when it comes to the club’s transfer activity, both financially and in a sporting sense.

Arsenal will get £21.1 million worth of prize money if they do lift the trophy, potentially bolstering Berta’s transfer kitty, but more importantly, it could also impress their most high-profile targets and convince them of Arteta’s long-term project.

As well as all of this, European bragging rights will work wonders to convince Arsenal’s key stars to commit their futures at N5.

Arsenal are working to tie down Saka with a new deal (BBC), while it is believed star centre-back duo William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are also set to be offered lucrative fresh terms.

“Deals for Saliba, Gabriel and Saka are pretty high on the agenda,” said journalist Graeme Bailey to Arsenal Insider recently.

“I think Arsenal are fairly confident of getting these deals done, but there’s no massive rush; they want to get them done in the summer and get them over the line. That is their plan to get them tied down, those three particularly, to new deals.”

Al-Nassr moving to tempt Gabriel with Arsenal exit

However, while Arsenal are confident they can keep their star trio, Saudi side Al-Nassr are attempting to upset the apple-cart.

According to reports in Spain, Al-Nassr are “already” moving to tempt Gabriel with a “much higher” salary to leave Arsenal, with the Pro League outfit hatching an “ambitious” transfer plan to sign the Brazilian, Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo and Real Madrid superstar Vinícius Jr. for a combined total of £345 million.

Gabriel’s contract runs until 2027, with Arteta’s mainstay centre-back currently on around £100,000-per-week. Al-Nassr’s spending power could pose a real threat to Arsenal, and it is absolutely imperative they keep hold of the 27-year-old.

That being said, if the defender becomes open to a Saudi switch, Arsenal will reportedly dig their heels in and demand around £100 million (talkSPORT) – regardless of his contract situation.

Dubbed the Premier League’s “most underrated” player by Leah Williamson, Gabriel is a rock alongside Saliba at the back and vital to Arteta’s success.

It’s fair to say Chelsea are underperforming in Enzo Maresca’s system at the moment, but having reached the Conference League semi-finals while sitting inside the Premier League’s top qualification zone, it’s all to fight for over the business weeks of the campaign.

Finishing inside the top five should provide a route into next year’s Champions League, and with the Blues sat in seventh place, four points behind Manchester City, it’s crucial that Fulham are beaten at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

The problem, of course, is that Chelsea haven’t won any of their past nine domestic matches on the road, with the Cottagers losing only four of their 16 matches at home in the top flight this term.

Chelsea – Remaining Premier League Fixtures

Date

Opponent

League Position

20/04/25

Fulham (A)

9th

04/05/25

Liverpool (H)

1st

11/05/25

Newcastle (A)

3rd

16/05/25

Man United (H)

14th

25/05/25

Nott’m Forest (H)

4th

Maresca fielded a surprisingly strong line-up against Legia Warsaw on Thursday, losing 2-1 on the evening but prevailing on aggregate.

It won’t be easy, but the Blues simply have to see themselves over the line in this one.

Chelsea team news

Maresca confirmed during his pre-match press conference that Romeo Lavia is available for selection after returning from injury and should be involved.

Wesley Fofana, Marc Guiu and Omari Kellyman remain long-term absentees, while Mykhaylo Mudryk is still unavailable.

Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke were benched for the quarter-final tie, but Jadon Sancho did pick up an assist for Marc Cucurella’s goal and may fancy another shot at the wide flank against a stable Fulham defence.

Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo were both excluded from the matchday squad on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s fixture, and with both ready and raring, Maresca may want to make a bold move and drop Cole Palmer for the second time in four Premier League matches.

Why Maresca could drop Palmer

It’s been 15 matches across all competitions since Palmer last found the back of the net. Unquestionably, he’s one of Europe’s superlative attacking midfielders, but equally, he’s well below his best at the moment.

Last season, the 22-year-old was untouchable, matchless in his breezy, Midas touch style in front of goal. Now, he cuts a frustrated figure as chances go begging and fluency looks absent.

The sun will shine again on the England international, who Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher declared “the best player in the Premier League” back in October, having started the term with such panache. Still, he’s got 14 goals and nine assists across 31 appearances, hardly a tally to be sniffed at.

Palmer has maintained an impressive creative level in the Premier League, still showcasing those arresting attributes that have earned him such lofty acclaim.

As per Sofascore, the rangy midfielder averages 2.5 key passes per league game (more than last year’s 2.1 averages per game), winning 56% of his ground duels and creating 20 big chances besides.

However, there’s another playmaking gem who could be unleashed in a fresh role later today. With Lavia combining so well with Caicedo in the early knockings of the season, Maresca may well look to shake things up here.

How Maresca could replace Palmer

It could do Palmer some good to take a seat against Marco Silva’s Fulham, fuelling him to make a positive impact when introduced in the second half.

Chelsea don’t have an abundance of central attacking midfielders, and while Neto could play the role well off Jackson’s back, it’s Fernandez who should be allowed to shift forwards into Palmer’s realm.

Fernandez has been through the emotions since becoming English football’s most expensive player of all time in February 2023, leaving Benfica in a deal worth £107m. He was regarded as a “superstar” by journalist Roy Nemer, and is beginning to prove such praise despite his team’s struggles.

The 24-year-old has come on leaps and bounds with his timing and movement in the danger area, bounding into space and using his feet or head to fire home.

Principally from a deeper-lying role, this is quite impressive, especially when doubling that with the fact that he’s one of the Premier League’s most creative players right now.

To add context to this: during March, no player across England’s top division created more big chances than Fernandez’s eight, the Argentine thriving in his influential central berth.

As per FBref, the 5 foot 10 midfielder ranks among the top 14% of midfielders in the Premier League this season for goal involvements, the top 8% for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for passes attempted and the top 11% for progressive passes per 90.

Clearly, he has the properties to play a more advanced role, and Maresca’s not afraid to give him a shot. Four times already in 2024/25, Fernandez has featured as the number ten, scoring one goal and registering one assist.

He’s not one to shirk away from defensive responsibilities either, winning 4.4 duels and recovering 4.3 balls per game so far. Fielding him ahead of Caicedo and Lavia might compact Chelsea’s midfield while retaining the playmaking spark that Palmer provides with such aplomb, even when things aren’t going his way.

It bears testament to Chelsea’s strength in depth that such a scenario is even a possibility, and it might just be one that Maresca wants to enforce to keep his players on their toes and take Palmer out of the firing line.

Related Guehi upgrade: Chelsea in advanced talks to sign "world-class" PL talent

Chelsea can forget about Marc Guehi, with a move seemingly heading in the right direction for one star.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Apr 19, 2025

Rangers have now made their first move to keep hold of a midfielder, and they think he’ll stay, according to a new report.

Latest on Rangers’ manager search

The Gers have five games left to play before Barry Ferguson’s interim spell in charge of the club comes to an end. Celtic have all but secured the Scottish Premiership title, so apart from pride, there is very little for Rangers to play for in the league, but for Ferguson, it is a chance to further show his credentials as a manager.

Related "No-nonsense" coach has "50-50" chance of being Rangers manager next season

Is he the right man for the job next season?

Posts ByHenry Jackson Apr 22, 2025

The Scotsman is likely to be in the running to become the next permanent Rangers manager, but given who else is also being linked with the role, he could come up short.

According to a recent report, former Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is open to the idea of becoming the new Rangers manager. However, the Portuguese will only move to Scotland if he is backed by the 49ers in the transfer market. The Gers are yet to officially make a move for Mourinho, but it could be one they are tempted to do, given all that he’s achieved in the game.

It’s also been reported by TEAMtalk that Steven Gerrard is now ready to return to Scotland and Rangers. Gerrard managed the Gers for three years and guided them to the Scottish Premiership title in 2021, and he now wants to add to his success in Scotland. However, as it stands, the race to become the new Rangers manager very much remains an open case.

Rangers make first move to keep midfielder at Ibrox

But while the 49ers continue their search for a new Rangers manager, the club are also working on keeping some of their talented players. According to The Rangers Review, relayed by Ibrox News, Rangers are set to offer a new contract to midfielder Bailey Rice, and they now expect him to agree to the terms.

The report states that talks between Rangers and Rice are at an early stage, but it is expected that Rice will sign a new deal with the club. The young midfielder is under contract until the summer of 2026, but the Gers want to secure his long-term future at Ibrox and therefore want to tie him down to a long-term deal.

The 18-year-old joined Rangers’ academy in 2022 and has made 10 first-team appearances so far, with him getting his first European start in the first leg of the quarter-final tie against Athletic Bilbao. Rice has been in and around the first team all season, but Ferguson has decided to give the midfielder more of a regular chance to impress.

Bailey Rice’s 24/25 Europa League stats

Apps

3

Starts

1

Touches per game

19.3

Big chances created

1

Key passes per game

0.7

Tackles per 90

0.3

Balls recovered per 90

1.3

Rice has appeared three times in Europe this season for Rangers, playing 45 minutes against Manchester United, where, after the game, Rio Ferdinand labelled the midfielder “wonderful” after his impressive performance.

“I’ll tell you what. I like Rice. He’s come on and looking composed, and that left foot looks like it has a bit in it. He’s seeing pictures, playing, and executing. That is a wonderful pass.”

With Real Madrid setting their sights on William Saliba, Arsenal would now reportedly consider selling their star defender for the chance to sign a talented midfielder from the Spaniards in return.

Real Madrid eyeing Saliba move

After a disappointing season which could yet end without a trophy, it could be all change in the Real Madrid technical area this summer. Recent reports have indicated that Carlo Ancelotti is in negotiations to become the new manager of the Brazilian national team, which would likely see Xabi Alonso make his way to the Bernabeu ahead of the next campaign.

With Alonso possibly arriving, the Spaniards could yet be in for a busy summer transfer window too. Already, they’re in negotiations with Trent Alexander-Arnold over a free move upon the expiry of his current Liverpool contract at the end of the season and have now also reportedly set their sights on Saliba.

Recent reports in Spain have suggested that the Frenchman is on Alonso’s list of targets should he step into the Madrid technical area in the coming months. Following another season without a Premier League title and with Arsenal’s Champions League fate hanging in the balance, it remains to be seen whether Saliba will be able to turn down the lure of the Bernabeu.

Related Arsenal want to sign a "beast" Gyokeres alternative who's outscoring Isak

Arsenal could sign an amazing Viktor Gyokeres alternative this summer.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes May 2, 2025

If that does prove to be the case, then there’s no doubt that his departure will be a major blow. At the same time, however, it looks as though the Gunners will at least aim to get something in return.

Arsenal now considering Saliba sale on one condition

According to reports in Spain, Arsenal would now consider selling Saliba to Real Madrid if they got Aurelien Tchouameni in return. Mikel Arteta is reportedly a big fan of the Frenchman and may yet have the perfect chance to welcome him to North London.

What his arrival would also do is replace Thomas Partey, who is currently on course to leave Arsenal as a free agent upon the expiry of his current contract this summer.

Filling that gap in the middle of the park should be among the Gunners’ top priorities, especially if they are to finally claim Premier League glory next season. And there’s no doubt that Tchouameni should be a top candidate to do exactly that.

League stats 24/25 (via FBref)

Aurelien Tchouameni

Thomas Partey

Minutes

2,364

2,437

Progressive Passes

149

165

Interceptions

42

32

Ball Recoveries

124

120

Dubbed “strong” by Ancelotti earlier this season, Tchouemeni has matched and even outperformed Partey in a number of areas this season. At the sacrifice of Saliba, Arsenal could land an instant upgrade in midfield.

Whether it is worth losing one of the best centre-backs in European football to boost their midfield is a question that those at The Emirates must ponder, however.

Chelsea are now favourites to sign a £148m star ahead of Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, despite the latter’s bottomless financial power, and talks have already been over a move for the player.

Chelsea transfer plans amid tight Champions League race

Enzo Maresca and co face off against top-five rivals Newcastle United in the Premier League this afternoon, knowing a win at St James’ Park will give them an almighty boost in their chase for Champions League qualification.

Related £65m forward who Atletico Madrid are pushing for wants to join Chelsea

Diego Simeone’s side really want him.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini May 10, 2025

Both Chelsea and Newcastle are neck-and-neck in the table, level on both points and goal difference, with nothing separating either side – so this will be a very tough one to call for onlookers.

Eddie Howe’s men boast the home advantage, but Chelsea will be in good spirits after an excellent run of form and their win over English champions Liverpool last weekend. It is a truly mouth-watering clash, and one which even has the power to have an effect on Chelsea’s summer transfer plans this summer.

Chelsea’s final Premier League fixtures

Date

Newcastle (away)

May 11th

Man United (home)

May 16th

Nottingham Forest (away)

May 25th

This is because qualification for the Champions League is intertwined with the club’s recruitment drive, as per Maresca himself in a recent press conference, and a top-five finish is seen as vital when it comes to Chelsea’s aims for the window.

According to reports, Chelsea are aiming to sign a new winger among their chief priorities, and BlueCo already have their eyes on a host of targets.

Talks have already been held over a move for Borussia Dortmund sensation Jamie Gittens, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, while reports this week also indicate that Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho is still a target for Chelsea as well.

As well as the aforementioned duo, links to AC Milan star Rafael Leao continue to be fairly strong.

Chelsea ahead of Al-Nassr in race for Rafael Leao after initial talks

The Portugal international’s contract includes a £148 million release clause, which is active for around 10 days in July, but clubs are likely to negotiate a price lower than this pretty seismic figure.

As per CaughtOffside, Chelsea have held initial talks over signing Leao, and despite interest from Al-Nassr, the Blues have an advantage over them. The outlet reports that Leao wants to stay in Europe, which puts them ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s side, and as things stand, Chelsea are the “most advanced” when it comes to any kind of agreement for his signature.

Arsenal are in the mix as well, but they view the winger as more of an alternative to Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams.

Leao has been a star player for Milan since joining them from Lille, with former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham branding the forward an “unstoppable” force on his day.

“Leao is a very important player for us,” said Abraham to Italian media.

“I don’t think he knows how good he is. He can win games on his own, on his day, he is unstoppable. We have to fill him with confidence and bring him on our path.”